Nursing supplementer

ABSTRACT

Method and apparatus for supplementing breast feeding characterized by an unvented collapsible liquid food supply bag. A feeding tube connected therewith having an end disposed within the mouth of the baby, the bag being so located relative to the breast nipple to compel simultaneous suckling effort on the breast nipple and feeding tube to provide flow through the tube, thus also providing suckling effort on the breast nipple to provide stimulation thereof with its attendant tendency to increase breast lactation.

United States Patent 11 1 Avery [451 Sept. 11, 1973 I 1 NURSING SUPPLEMENTER [75] Inventor: John Richard Avery, Denver, C010. [73] Assignee: J. J. Avery lnc., Denver, C010.

[22] Filed: Sept. 1, 1971 [211 Appl. No.: 177,071

[52] US. Cl 128/281, 128/1, 128/252, 215/11 R [51] Int. Cl A6lm l/06 [58] Field of Search 215/11 R, 11 A, 11 13, 215/11 C, 11 D; 128/252, 275, 260, 1, 227, 295

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 279,935 6/1883 Glattsteine 215/11 R 2,697,531 12/1954 Hood 2,760,664 8/1956 DAmico et a1 215/1 1 R 3,263,848 8/1966 Zaekhelm 215/11 3,426,755 2/1969 Clegg 215/11 R 2,883,985 4/1959 Evans 128/295 Primary ExaminerCharles F. Rosenbaum Attorney-Sheridan, Ross & Fields {5 7] ABSTRACT Method and apparatus for supplementing breast feeding characterized by an unvented collapsible liquid food supply bag, A feeding tube connected therewith having an end disposed within the mouth of the baby, the bag being so located relative to the breast nipple to compel simultaneous suckling effort on the breast nipple and feeding tube to provide flow through the tube, thus also providing suckling effort on the breast nipple to provide stimulation thereof with its attendant tendency to increase breast lactation.

13 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTEDSEPI 3 ma INVENTOR JOHN R AVERY f ATTORNEYS 1 NURSING SUPPLEMENTER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the prior art of inducing a baby to suckle a dry breast, or one having an inadequate supply, to thereby provide breast stimulation to either start or increase lactation, various techniques have been employed, which include, for example, the insertion of a medicine dropper, containing supplementary liquid into the mouth of the baby, while suckling the breast nipple, insertion of a tube attached to a syringe source of liquid, and alternately offering the breast or conventional bottle to the baby during the course of a feeding. Many other techniques, well known in the art, have also been employed, specific reference to which is omitted in the interests of brevity since they are less pertinent to the present invention. Of the several techniques, exemplitied, the latter is probably the least desired since alternate switching from breast nipple to bottle nipple may create a preference for the latter and rejection of the breast nipple. The first two techniques referred to obviate this disadvantage since the baby is not offered a choice of milk supply, since the supplement and breast nipple supply are recognized as the sole food source. They are disadvantaged, however, in that the supplement is force fed and hence suckling effort reduced, thus reducing the desired breast stimulation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention differs from the priortechniques, in its broader aspects, in that the supplement is not forced, but on the contrary, requires suckling effort to receive same, thus maintaining simultaneous suckling effort on the breast nipple and the attendant stimulation thereof to start or increase lactation of the mother which, as will be apparent, was less effective with a forced supplement which required lesser suckling effort. The more the breast is stimulated by suckling, the greater will be the supply of milk from the breast.

It otherwise differs in that: the suckling effort is identical to that of the normal baby nursing solely on the breast nipple; it serves as an aid to breast-feeding, rather than a substitute therefor; it provides immediate flow of supplement, serving as an incentive to continue suckling effort; and, it provides the mother and baby with the nursing experience at the breast even though entire nurturing by the breast is not possible.

One of the objects of the invention consonant with the foregoing, is to provide a feeding tube communicating with an unvented collapsible bag containing the formula which latter is suitably located relative to the breast nipple that a suckling effort is required to receive the supplement, thus maintaining optimum suckling effort on the breast nipple and effecting increased stimulation thereof.

Another object is to provide a bag closure containing a metering aperture which may be selected in size to effect a desired flow rate therethro ugh.

A further object is to provide a simple and effective sealing construction between the bag mouth, the closure, and one end of the feeding tube.

Still further objects, advantages and salient features will become more apparent from the detailed description to follow, the appended claims and the accompanying drawing to now be briefly described.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 depicts the subject of the invention in use;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged side elevation of the subject of the invention;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged section in the locus of arrow 3, FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged section taken on line 4-4, FIG. 2', and

FIG. 5 is an enlarged side elevation of a bag supporting clip.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawing, FIG. 1 illustrates the general arrangement of parts including a feeding bag 10, feeding tube 12, and a bag supporting brassiere 13, which has been opened to provide access to a breast nipple.

As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, bag 10 is rectangular, having opposed flat walls 14, 16 which are in facial engagement when the bag is empty. It may be formed from thin plastic extruded tubing having a heat seal 18 adjacent tear seal 20 at the lower end thereof and shoulder heat seals 22 adjacent its: upper end. The bag walls project upwardly to form a neck 24, the edges of which are heat sealed together in the same manner as heat seals 22. Tear seals (not shown) extend across the top edges of the bag, adjacent heat seals 22, andacross the open end of the neck. As best shown in FIG. 3, the neck is so formed to provide a frusto-conical opening therein when the neck is distorted from flat configuration to circular configuration.

A frusto-conical plug 26 is disposed within the neck and sealingly maintained therein by a resilient bell shaped member 28 having a ring 30 which distorts the wall of the neck into an annular groove 32 in the plug. The neck and plug are so proportioned to provide a small portion 24a to fold into bell member 28 to ensure that ring 30 forms tight engagement with the neck at the locus surrounding and above groove 32. As will be apparent, the frusto-conical shape of the neck and plug not only provides a tight fit but also prevents the plug from being inadvertently pushed completely through the neck. Plug 26 is also provided with a metering aperture 3d to restrict flow rate theretlhrough and plugs having metering apertures of various sizes are provided so that the optimum feed rate may be chosen, depending upon suckling capability and feed rate desired.

Feeding tube 12 is formed integrally with bell member 28 and is provided with a necked down end 36, as best seen in FIG. 4, having a. smaller channel 38 therein, this end being disposed within the mouth of the baby during the simultaneous suckling of the breast nipple, as illustrated in FIG. II.

A dip tube Ml is frictionally held within an aperture 42 in plug 26, its lower end being suitably disposed or constructed so that it may not be closed'as the bag collapses. Such tube may be omitted, however, since no void space exists in the bag during its depletion under ambient pressure and liquid may thus flow directly through the plug.

The bag may bedisposed relative to the breast nipple in any suitable manner but preferably a pair of U- shaped clips 44 are employed, one leg of which is provided with a spool-like member 46 which releasably snaps into an aperture 48 in the other leg, member 46 being disposed within apertures (not shown) punched through the bag walls above heat seals 22. Before snapping members 44 to closed position they may be connected to any suitable support carried by the brassiere, such as an attached strap, apertures, or the like, which engage the bight or hinge 50 of the clip.

Bags are preferably disposable and packaged in roll or folded form like well known food bags. A slight amount of tear waste will normally be required between the top bag edge and around the neck and between the lower tear seal 20 of the next bag of the web.

What is claimed is:

l. A method of providing supplement for a baby while simultaneously stimulating a breast nipple to induce lactation, comprising the steps of:

maintaining one end of a flexible feeding tube in the mouth of a baby during the suckling of the breast nipple, whereby suckling effort is simultaneously applied to the breast nipple and tube;

communicating the other end of the tube with an unvented collapsible liquid food container; and

maintaining the container at a pressure not to exceed ambient pressure, and in a position relative to the nipple such that liquid flow through the tube may occur only when negative suckling pressure is simultaneously applied to the breast nipple and the end of the tube disposed within the mouth of the baby.

2. A method in accordance with claim 1 including the step of restricting the flow of the liquid through the tube to a maximum rate in accordance with suckling capability effort and desired rate of feeding of the baby.

3. A method in accordance with claim 2 wherein the flow is selectively restricted through various metering orifices, each of which may be removably disposed in the liquid flow path and selected in size in accordance with the suckling capability and desired rate of feeding.

4. A method in accordance with claim 1 including the step of disposing the liquid food source within a bag adapted to collapse to planar configuration when depleted of liquid, the differential pressure between ambient pressure on the bag and negative suckling pressure applied to the tube effecting such collapse.

5. A method in accordance with claim 4 wherein the flow is restricted through a metering aperture disposed within a closure for the bag.

6. Apparatus for providing supplement for a baby while simultaneously stimulating a breast nipple to induce lactation, comprising a collapsible, unvented liquid food container;

a flexible tube communicating with the container and having an end of such size and shape so as to fit into the mouth of the baby concurrently with the breast nipple; the arrangement being such that when said container is disposed in a position relative to the nipple such that liquid flow through the tube may occur only when negative suckling pressure is applied thereto.

7. Apparatus in accordance with claim 6 wherein said container is a collapsible bag having opposed walls adapted to be disposed in substantially planar abutment when the bag is empty and bulged when liquid is disposed therein, whereby ambient pressure may collapse the bag to its substantially planar empty configuration, thereby evacuating substantially all of its liquid contents, a projecting tubular neck formed by said side walls, a plug having a metering aperture extending therethrough closing said neck, said tube communicating with said metering aperture.

8. Apparatus in accordance with claim 7 wherein said plug is frusto-conical and of a size to be forced into the neck but not through same.

9. Apparatus in accordance with claim 7 including means for detachably securing the bag to a nursing brassiere.

10. Apparatus in accordance with claim 9 including a nursing brassiere detachably secured to said bag.

11. Apparatus in accordance with claim 7 wherein each bag is provided with a heat seal across its lower edge, heat seals along opposed sides of said neck, and heat seals extending angularly downwardly from the lower end of the neck to opposed side edges of the bag, thereby closing the upper end of the bag.

12. Apparatus in accordance with claim 13 including apertures extending through the bag at loci above each of the angularly extending seals adapted to receive means for supporting the bag on a brassiere.

13. Apparatus for providing supplement for a baby while simultaneously stimulating a breast nipple to induce lactation, comprising:

a. a collapsible, unvented liquid container comprisi. a collapsible bag having opposed side walls adapted to be disposed in substantially planar abutment when the bag is empty and bulged when liquid is disposed therein,

ii. a projecting tubular neck formed by said sidewalls, and

iii. a frusto-conical plug of a size to be forced into the neck but not through same, said plug having a metering aperture extending therethrough and a circumferential groove;

b. a flexible tube communicating with the container having an end of such size and shape so as to fit into the mouth of a baby concurrently with said breast nipple, said tube having a bell-like member with a resilient ring thereon adapted to be stretched over the bag neck for forming it into the groove and sealing the neck to the plug; the arrangement being such that when said container is disposed in a position relative to the nipple, liquid flow through the tube may occur only when negative suckling pressure is applied. 

1. A method of providing supplement for a baby while simultaneously stimulating a breast nipple to induce lactation, comprising the steps of: maintaining one end of a flexible feeding tube in the mouth of a baby during the suckling of the breast nipple, whereby suckling effort is simultaneously applied to the breast nipple and tube; communicating the other end of the tube with an unvented collapsible liquid food container; and maintaining the container at a pressure not to exceed ambient pressure, and in a position relative to the nipple such that liquid flow through the tube may occur only when negative suckling pressure is simultaneously applied to the breast nipple and the end of the tube disposed within the mouth of the baby.
 2. A method in accordance with claim 1 including the step of restricting the flow of the liquid through the tube to a maximum rate in accordance with suckling capability effort and desired rate of feeding of the baby.
 3. A method in accordance with claim 2 wherein the flow is selectively restricted through various metering orifices, each of which may be removably disposed in the liquid flow path and selected in size in accordance with the suckling capability and desired rate of feeding.
 4. A method in accordance with claim 1 including the step of disposing the liquid food source within a bag adapted to collapse to planar configuration when depleted of liquid, the differential pressure between ambient pressure on the bag and negative suckling pressure applied to the tube effecting such collapse.
 5. A method in accordance with claim 4 wherein the flow is restricted through a metering aperture disposed within a closure for the bag.
 6. Apparatus for providing supplement for a baby while simultaneously stimulating a breast nipple to induce lactation, comprising a collapsible, unvented liquid food container; a flexible tube communicating with the container and having an end of such size and shape so as to fit into the mouth of the baby concurrently with the breast nipple; the arrangement being such that when said container is disposed in a position relative to the nipple such that liquid flow through the tube may occur only when negative suckling pressure is applied thereto.
 7. Apparatus in accordance with claim 6 wherein said container is a collapsible bag having opposed walls adapted to be disposed in substantially planar abutment when the bag is empty and bulged when liquid is disposed therein, whereby ambient pressure may collapse the bag to its substantially planar empty configuration, thereby evacuating substantially all of its liquid contents, a projecting tubular neck formed by said side walls, a plug having a metering aperture extending therethrough closing said neck, said tube communicating with said metering aperture.
 8. Apparatus in accordance with claim 7 wherein said plug is frusto-conical and of a size to be forced into the neck but not through same.
 9. Apparatus in accordance with claim 7 including means for detachably securing the bag to a nursing brassiere.
 10. Apparatus in accordance with claim 9 including a nursing brassiere detachably secured to said bag.
 11. Apparatus in accordance with claim 7 wherein each bag is provided with a heat seal across its lower edge, heat seals along opposed sides of said neck, and heat seals extending angularly downwardly from the lower end of the neck to opposed side edges of the bag, thereby closing the upper end of the bag.
 12. Apparatus in accordance with claim 13 including apertures extending through the bag at loci above each of the angularly extending seals adapted to receive means for supporting the bag on a brassiere.
 13. Apparatus for providing supplement for a baby while simultaneously stimulating a breast nipple to induce lactation, comprising: a. a collapsible, unvented liquid container Comprising: i. a collapsible bag having opposed side walls adapted to be disposed in substantially planar abutment when the bag is empty and bulged when liquid is disposed therein, ii. a projecting tubular neck formed by said sidewalls, and iii. a frusto-conical plug of a size to be forced into the neck but not through same, said plug having a metering aperture extending therethrough and a circumferential groove; b. a flexible tube communicating with the container having an end of such size and shape so as to fit into the mouth of a baby concurrently with said breast nipple, said tube having a bell-like member with a resilient ring thereon adapted to be stretched over the bag neck for forming it into the groove and sealing the neck to the plug; the arrangement being such that when said container is disposed in a position relative to the nipple, liquid flow through the tube may occur only when negative suckling pressure is applied. 